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Everything You Need To Know About Apple CarPlay And Android Auto

Last Updated: 5th Jun 2017

Here’s a quick guide to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Find out how to access maps, make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music, all in a way that allows you to stay focused on the road.

What Is Apple CarPlay And Android Auto?

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connects your car to your smartphone, usually via a USB connector or bluetooth. It takes the things you want to do with your phone while driving and puts them onto your car’s built-in display, with an operating system that mirrors what's on your phone. This means you can answer calls, text messages and use many of your other apps without having to take your eyes off the road.

Your Pocket Satellite Navigation System

For many customers a satellite navigation system is a must have feature in their new car, but it's usually an optional extra which can make the car more expensive. However, if the car comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto then there is no need to pay extra for satellite navigation! Once you've connected your smartphone, simply choose the maps feature and you can use it just like you would a built-in satellite navigation system.

Along with the maps app both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow you to stream music, access audiobooks and most importantly make and answer your calls and reply to text messages via steering wheel controls, touchscreen or speech technology that makes controlling everything with your voice fast and easy.

Apple CarPlay is available on all Apple IOS smartphones from the iPhone 5 onwards and Android Auto is compatible with all Android devices that use the 5.0 (lollipop), 6.0 (marshmallow) or 7.0 (nougat) software.

How Do I Know If My New Car Has It?

If you take a look at the specification of your new vehicle on the Pentagon website it should say if this feature is available (although it is sometimes referred to by other names such as MirrorLink or IntelliLink). To make sure though it is best to speak with one of the team at your local Pentagon dealership who will be able to give you a definitive answer.

When you collect your new vehicle the team at the dealership will demonstrate all the key features of your new car including how this software works, plus they’ll even connect up your phone with the software for you to make sure you’re all set for your journey home.

For more information about which vehicles have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto or for information about any other features please contact the team on 0333 222 0424 (local rate) or visit one of the Pentagon dealerships across the North West, Yorkshire, East Midlands and North Lincolnshire.

Pentagon is a credit broker and not a lender.The limited companies trading as Pentagon are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a credit broker. For a list of these limited companies click here. Each company acts as a credit broker, sourcing credit to assist our customers purchases from a carefully selected panel of lenders. Lenders may pay us a fee for these introductions. A guarantor may be required. If you choose vehicle finance you will not own the vehicle until all payments are made. Applicants must be 18 years or over. Finance acceptance and interest rate is subject to status, only typical examples are shown.

Appointed Representatives For Both Consumer Credit And Insurance Mediation - Pentagon Mitsubishi Limited, Pentagon (Mazda) Limited, and Reeve (Lincoln) Limited are Appointed Representatives of Automotive Compliance Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No 497010). Automotive Compliance Ltd’s permissions as a Principal Firm allows Pentagon Mitsubishi Limited, Pentagon (Mazda) Limited, and Reeve (Lincoln) Limited to act as a credit broker, not as lender, for the introduction to a limited number of finance providers and to act as an agent on behalf of the insurer for insurance mediation activities only.

Directly Authorised For Consumer Credit And Appointed Representatives For Insurance Mediation - Pentagon (Burton On Trent) Ltd (FCA Number 669271), Pentagon (Huddersfield) Limited (FCA Number: 655047), Pentagon (Nottingham) Limited (FCA Number: 681843), Pentagon (Oldham) Limited (FCA Number 654965), Pentagon Chrysler (Barnsley) Limited (FCA Number 655023) and Reeve (Derby) Limited (FCA Number 683857) are directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a credit broker, not as a lender, for the introduction to a limited number of finance providers. For the sale of general insurance these companies are Appointed Representatives of Automotive Compliance Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No 497010). Automotive Compliance Ltd’s permissions as a Principal Firm allows Pentagon (Burton On Trent) Ltd, Pentagon (Huddersfield) Limited, Pentagon (Nottingham) Limited, Pentagon (Oldham) Limited, Pentagon Chrysler (Barnsley) Limited and Reeve (Derby) Limited to act as an agent on behalf of the insurer for insurance mediation activities only.

0333 numbers cost 2.5p per minute from a standard BT landline which is the same as if you were calling an 01 or 02 number and is usually included within your mobile contract minutes (where applicable). 0800 calls are free from a standard BT landline. Calls from other networks and mobiles may vary. Calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes. Vehicles and images are shown for illustration purposes only. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing and intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results.